EXPLORE THE BIBLE FOR KIDS, Sundays @ 10:30amThis week’s Bible story shows the great power of Jesus to completely transform someone’s heart and life. Saul began his journey to Damascus with one goal—arresting Christians. Saul ended his journey a different man. After a visit from Ananias, Saul began to share the gospel truth about Jesus. Talk about confusing people! Despite their initial confusion, people quickly learned that Saul had changed and was fulfilling the mission God had given him. Find a Bible with a map in the back of Saul’s (Paul’s) missionary journeys. Allow your family to examine the map and see the many places Saul traveled to share the gospel. Discuss with your family whom you might need to share the gospel with. Maybe you need to go next door to a neighbor’s house. Maybe one of your kids has a friend at school that needs to hear the gospel. Maybe God is leading your family on a family mission trip. Don’t forget to check out the questions and the family Bible skill on this week’s Family Card.

Bible Passage: Acts 9:1-22Memory Verse: Romans 1:16aYounger Kids Text Truth: God’s plan was for Saul to tell people about Jesus.Older Kids Text Truth: Jesus chose Saul to tell the Gentiles and others about the gospel.Saul Met Jesus(Acts 9:1-22)A man named Saul was very serious about God’s Law. He did not believe that the disciples’ words about Jesus were true. So Saul began to hurt people who followed Jesus.One day Saul asked the high priest to send him to Damascus. Saul wanted to search the synagogues and arrest anyone he found that was teaching about or believing in Jesus.As Saul traveled on the road to Damascus, a light from heaven appeared. Saul fell to the ground and heard a voice say, “Saul, Saul why are you hurting Me?”“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.“I am Jesus. The one you are hurting. Get up and go to the city. You will be told what to do.”The men traveling with Saul were speechless. Saul got up but he couldn’t see anything. The men helped Saul to Damascus.In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord appeared to Ananias in a vision and told him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight. Go to the house of Judas and ask for the man named Saul. He is praying there. Saul has seen a vision of a man named Ananias coming to place his hands on him so he can see again.”Ananias was confused. “Lord, I have heard about this man and that he has hurt people who follow You.”But God told Ananias to go see Saul. God had a plan for Saul. Saul would go to the Gentiles (the people who weren’t Jewish) and tell them about Jesus.Ananias went and placed his hands on Saul. Something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He was baptized and spent time with the believers in Damascus. He also went to the synagogues and began telling people that Jesus was the Son of God. The people were confused. “Isn’t this the man who came to take the followers of Jesus to prison?” But Saul learned more about Jesus and kept telling the people that Jesus was the Messiah! Saul understood that what the disciples had said about Jesus was true.

THE GOSPEL PROJECT FOR KIDS, Sunday Evenings @ 6pm in the Fellowship Hall

Only a few days had passed since Jesus was arrested, beaten, and crucified. His followers were undoubtedly afraid and confused. They met together in a house, locking the doors because they were afraid of the Jews. Would the Jews do to them what they had done to Jesus? The disciples had believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but they had abandoned Him and Jesus was killed. How could He save anyone if He was dead? But now some people were reporting that Jesus was alive! Could it be true? The disciples were talking about these things when Jesus stood among them. They thought they were seeing a ghost. “Peace to you!” He said. What good news! Imagine how Jesus’ words might have calmed the disciples’ anxious hearts. Their Lord, whom they had deserted, didn’t show up to scold them for their failures or shame them for their lack of faith. He spoke peace to them. Even though Jesus had foretold His death and resurrection (Matt. 20:17-19), Jesus showed His disciples physical proof that He was alive. He showed them His hands and His side.

With His resurrection, Jesus’ mission was accomplished. He paid the debt for sinners, and the transaction cleared. But the disciples’ work was just beginning. Jesus gave His followers a job to do: “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21). This verse contains the Gospel of John’s version of the Great Commission. Jesus, the One sent from the Father, sent the disciples to be His messengers and representatives. Jesus equipped the disciples with the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel—the good news of what Jesus has done—to the world. For 40 days, Jesus presented Himself to at least 500 people and proved that He is alive. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) Jesus is still alive today. He sends out believers to tell others about Him and gives us power through the Holy Spirit.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS● Babies and Toddlers○ Jesus is alive in heaven. ○ The friends were hiding in a room.○ Jesus showed His friends He is alive. ○ Jesus told His friends about God’s plan.

● Preschool○ What is our mission? Our mission is to tell others about Jesus.○ Jesus appeared to His friends.

● Kids○ What is our mission as believers? Our mission as believers is to make disciples of all nations by the power of the Spirit.○ Jesus appeared to His disciples.